Observations

[Diane Amberg]

What a wonderful story with a happy ending. You are such a nice person, everybody will come out ahead.

[larryJ]

Addendum........

I sent her an e-mail early yesterday telling her how much I enjoyed meeting her and that I thought she was a wonderful person.  I indicated to her that if she decides from the lunch meeting that we are not going to be meeting again anytime soon, that it was okay and I understood, but that I hoped she had a good impression of us.  I was on pins and needles all day waiting for her reply.  She wrote back last night that she had a wonderful time and was looking forward to our next get-together.

So all is good.

Larryj

[larryJ]

I may have mentioned that my desktop computer died last summer.  I gave it to my son who was supposed to have a friend fix it.  I haven't seen it since but I don't really care as it was old anyhow.  I have been surviving with my laptop since.  It had some issues and was slow even with the DSL connection and many times would freeze calling for a reboot.  Recently, I decided to look for a new one.  I found a Dell laptop that was decently priced but I procrastinated through all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.  The price hadn't changed any.  Yesterday I finally gave up and went to buy it.  The price had gone up $200.  (read shock and awe here.)  In looking around I found a HP all-in-one desktop that was about the price of the one I originally wanted.  However, this is such a better deal because it is not a laptop, but a computer with a 23' screen, wireless keyboard and wireless mouse.  So many features that it will take the rest of my life to figure out how to use.

That said..........if you see any mistakes that I have made in any posts, it is not my fault.  Well, maybe it is.

Larryj

[larryJ]

Ah, December.....it has been cold, even freezing temperatures at night sometimes.  The electric blanket is on the bed, the thermostat is set and I have a throw over my legs when I am at the computer and a blanket when I am watching TV.  There has been rain here and snow up at the condo in the mountains.  It looks like a nice crisp winter for SoCal............what?  The temperature next week is in the eighties?  But this is December.  Oh yeah, I live in Southern California.  These things happen. 

Larryj

[Diane Amberg]

With those swings in temps can you grow citrus fruit at home successfully? I always thought it would be fun to have an orange tree so I could just walk outside and pick some for breakfast.

[larryJ]

We do have an orange tree in the backyard.  It is of the variety of juicing type oranges.  I have made orange juice from that tree sometimes.  This whole area 100 years ago was mostly orange groves.  In addition, there is an apple tree.  The variety is named Anna.  The apples do not turn completely red, but they are tasty and my wife's cousin has made apple crisps with them.  You can tell when the apples are ready, not by the color, but when the birds start to eat them.  In the past we had a lemon tree and used the lemons often.  However, it became too large for the area it was in and we had to take it out.  There is a lemon tree in the neighbor's yard behind us easily accessible for us to just reach up and pick a lemon if needed.  Two blocks down the street is a friend's house with an avocado tree in the front yard.  We get them when they are ready to be picked. 

Larryj

[Diane Amberg]

Now that sounds like fun.Thanks.

[larryJ]

In mentioning my reunion with my daughter from the past, I had quite an observation this morning.  Some years ago, not wanting to cook dinner on Christmas Eve, I initiated "Junk Food Night."  Nothing nutritional was to be served.  Cookies, fudge, hot dogs, and so on.  It was a big hit with my kids and we did it every year until they moved out.  Two years ago, my daughter-in-law decided to revive the tradition and it began all over again.  Last year she invited many of their friends and it was a little crowded.  This year it was combined with the annual Newport Boat Parade.  The Boat Parade is made up of many boats, big and small, all decorated and they sail up and down the bay.  Quite spectacular.  This year, she invited many people again and my daughter and my wife decided that we would prefer to go today and keep it just to the family. 

The observation:  When I woke up this morning, I remembered that this was the anniversary of my mother's passing.  She passed on Dec. 22, 1966.  I was in Korea and was given emergency leave to come home for the funeral in Howard.  Upon more reflection, my daughter had invited my other daughter to join us today in Newport Beach.  It was thought she could have the opportunity to meet the rest of the family. She had been to the parade last night and stayed at her mother's house down there. 

So what does all this mean, you ask.........my daughter, whom I have not seen in 45 years up until a few weeks ago will join us today on the anniversary of my mother's passing which sent me home which resulted in her eventual birth. 

How about that!

Larryj

[Diane Amberg]

That is super cool!Have a wonderful time.

[larryJ]

Addendum.......unfortunately due to scheduling conflicts (hers) she was not able to make it to the family gathering yesterday.  She sent an apology and an explanation which is understandable.  We had anticipated meeting with her and letting her meet the rest of her new-found family, but it didn't work out his time.  Oh well, there is always next time.

Larryj